Back liner applying apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for applying adhesive and a back liner tape to respective back edges of each of a plurality of sheets of paper in a group set or stack to be joined or bound in the form of a book includes a pair of facing clamping jaws movable toward each other to clamp the set of sheets therebetween and to maintain back edges to be joined in a selected position, a glue applicator moved in a path centered relative said sheet position to apply glue thereto by an applicator roller mounted in a glue container which is movable along said path which is parallel with the clamping jaw. Apparatus is included for dispensing a selected length of back liner tape onto a platform in a lowered position and which is movable toward the back edges of the sheets to apply the tape to the glue thereon, said tape having a compatible glue thereon.

United States Patent [1 1 Blair et al.

[ 1 June 10, 1975 BACK LINER APPLYING APPARATUS [73] Assignee: Brackett Stripping Machine, Inc.,

Topeka, Kans.

[22] Filed: Nov. 9, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 414,238

[52] US. Cl. 156/477 B; 11/1 AD; 156/510;

156/578; 156/580; 118/242 [51] Int. Cl. B32b l/04; 1342c 19/00 [58] Field of Search 156/202, 212, 216, 468,

156/477 B, 479, 480, 485, 486, 487, 489, 529, 578, 510, 580; 11/1 R, 1 AD, 1 CP; 281/21 R; 118/242 l/1974 Polit et a1. 156/216 4/1974 Blair 156/477 B Primary Examiner-Charles E. Van Horn Assistant Examiner-Basil J. Lewris Attorney, Agent, or FirmFishburn, Gold & Litman [5 7] ABSTRACT An apparatus for applying adhesive and a back liner tape to respective back edges of each of a plurality of sheets of paper in a group set or stack to be joined or bound in the form of a book includes a pair of facing clamping jaws movable toward each other to clamp the set of sheets therebetween and to maintain back edges to be joined in a selected position, a glue applicator moved in a path centered relative said sheet position to apply glue thereto by an applicator roller mounted in a glue container which is movable along said path which is parallel with the clamping jaw. Apparatus is included for dispensing a selected length of back liner tape onto a platform in a lowered position and which is movable toward the back edges of the sheets to apply the tape to the glue thereon, said tape having a compatible glue thereon.

8 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTED JUN I 0 I975 SHEET 1 BACK LINER APPLYING APPARATUS The present invention relates to binding of books and stacks of sheets and more particularly to an apparatus and method for applying adhesive and a back liner tape to respective back or spine edges of each of a plurality of sheets to be joined or bound in the form of a book.

The principle objects of the present invention are: to provide a novel apparatus and method for applying adhesive and a back liner tape to all back or spine edges of a plurality of sheets to be joined together or bound in the form of a book; to provide such a back liner applying apparatus adapted to provide coordinated speeds of travel of a glue container along a center line of the apparatus and application of glue to the back or spine edges of the sheets to be joined whereby the applicator roller periphery moves at the same rate as the forward movement of the applicator to provide such a back liner applying apparatus adapted to force glue between the back edges of the sheets to be joined; to provide such a back liner applying apparatus adapted to coordinate length of back liner tape dispensed with length of back or spine edges of the sheets to be joined; to provide such a back liner applying apparatus adapted to apply a back liner tape to sheets having a total thickness in the range of one fourth inch to four inches inch to 4 inches); to provide such a back liner applying apparatus having sheet clamping jaws centered on the apparatus and the sheet clamping jaws, glue applying roller, tape dispensing device, and tape applying device are all aligned with the center line of the apparatus whereby all are centered on the work; to provide such a back liner applying apparatus wherein the tape dispensing device is adapted to position back liner tape on the center line of the apparatus and aligned with the edges to be joined; to provide such a back liner applying apparatus wherein cutting of the dispensed back liner tape and raising of a platform of a tape applying device during movement toward the back edges to be joined is substantially simultaneous; to provide such a back liner applying apparatus wherein movement of a glue container and movement of tape receiving and applying device are substantially normal or perpendicular one with the other and the movements are co-planar and each device must be in its respective starting position before the other can move; and to provide such a back liner applying apparatus which is economical to manufacture, durable in construction, positive in operation, and particularly well adapted for the proposed use.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and example certain embodiments of this invention.

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features of the back liner applying apparatus and method.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an adhesive and back liner applying apparatus embodying features of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of one end of the back liner applying apparatuswith portions broken away to show the component parts therein.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the other end of the back liner applying apparatus with portions broken away to show the component parts.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the back liner applying apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 55, FIG. 1 and showing relative positions of the operative components.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on line 6-6, FIG. 1 and showing sheet clamping jaws and means for simultaneously moving same toward and away from each other and the center line of the apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 7-7, FIG. 1 and showing a tape cutting device.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a book or pad formed in the apparatus with portions of adhesiveand tape removed to show back edges of sheets to be joined.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriate detailed structure.

In the disclosed embodiment of the present invention, the reference numeral 1 generally designates an apparatus for applying adhesive and a back liner tape 2 to respective back or spine edges 3 of each of a plurality of sheets 4 of paper in a group, set, stack, or the like to be joined or bound to form a book, pad, or the like. The back liner applying apparatus 1 includes a pair of facing clamping jaws 5 and 6 movable toward and away from the center line of the apparatus 1 and toward and away from each other with movement toward each other being adapted to clamp the set, group or stack of sheets 4 therebetween and to maintain back or spine edges 3 to be joined in a selected position to receive a suitable adhesive, such as hot-melt glue 7, applied thereto by an applicator member 8 mounted in a glue container 9 which is movable parallel with the center line of the apparatus 1 and parallel with the clamping jaws 5 and 6 thereby effecting dispensing of a selected length of back liner tape 2 onto a platform 10 in a lowered position and which is movable toward the back edges 3 of the sheets 4 to apply the tape 2 to the glue 7 thereof.

The back liner applying apparatus 1 is supported on a suitable frame defining an operating station. The frame is illustrated as having a pair of parallel and longitudinally extending side members 11 and 12 defining a base for the frame and the side members 11 and 12 are suitably secured to the floor, foundation, or the like, as by bolts. The illustrated frame includes a pair of longitudinally spaced end walls 13 and 14 suitably secured to the side members 11 and 12, as by bolts, welding, or the like, and extending upwardly therefrom.

The various components of the adhesive and back liner applying apparatus 1 are supported on the end walls 13 and 14 of the frame. A platform support member 15 is positioned on the center line of the back liner applying apparatus 1 and extends between and has respective opposite ends thereof supported on the center line of the back liner applying apparatus 1 and extends between and has respective opposite ends thereof supported on the end walls 13 and 14, as by suitable bolts. The platform support member 15 may be any suitable structural member adapted to support the platform 10, a drive motor for the glue container 9, and tape dispensing means, as later described. The platform support member 15 is illustrated as a channel having a web portion generally horizontal with flanges depending from opposite edges thereof.

A rack support member 16 extends between the end walls 13 and 14 and has respective opposite ends thereof suitably supported thereon, as by bolts. The rack support member 16 is positioned adjacent the top of the end walls 13 and 14 and is parallel with the center line of the frame.

Also adjacent the top of the end walls 13 and 14 are a pair of jaw supports 17 and 18 centered on the longitudinal center line of the frame and extending between the end walls 13 and 14 and having respective opposite ends thereof suitably secured thereto, as by bolts.

A top member 19 is spaced from and substantially parallel with one of the jaw supports, for example jaw support 18, and the top member 19 is adapted to support means for effecting selective closing and opening of the clamping jaws 5 and 6.

The clamping jaws 5 and 6 provide means mounted on the frame for clamping a plurality of sheets 4 of paper in a group, set, stack, or the like to be joined or bound together in the form of a book, pad, or the like. The clamping jaws 5 and 6 are adapted to maintain the back or spine edges 3 of the sheets 4 to be joined in a selected position to receive the glue 7 and the back liner tape 2. In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of guide members 20 and 21 each extend between and have respective opposite ends thereof supported on the jaw support members 17 and 18. The jaws 5 and 6 each have respective opposite ends thereof mounted on the guide members 20 and 21 for movement therealong toward and away from the center line of the frame.

One of the guide members, for example guide member 20, provides a stop or abutment for one end edge 22 of opposite end edges of the sheets 4 to thereby assure dispensing of a proper amount or length of tape to be applied adjacent the one end 22, as later described.

Bars 23 and 24 extend outwardly from opposite ends of the clamping jaw 5 and generally toward the top member 19. The ears 23 and 24 pivotally receive and support one end of a first pair of links 25 and 26 respectively which are operatively connected to the jaw moving means, as later described.

The other clamping jaw 6 has ears 27 and 28 extending outwardly from respective opposite ends thereof and generally toward the top member 19. The ears 27 and 28 pivotally receive and support one end of a second pair of links 29 and 30 respectively each operatively connected to the jaw moving means.

The jaws 5 and 6 are operatively connected to power means for selectively effecting relative movement of the jaws toward and away from each other. In the illustrated embodiment, a suitable manually operated control switch (not shown) activates a suitable air actuator 31 mounted on the top member 19 and preferably centered on the transverse center line of the frame. Shafts 32 and 33 extend outwardly from opposite ends of the air actuator 31 and are substantially parallel with the center line of the frame or operating station. Drums 34 and 35 are suitably secured to the shafts 32 and 33 respectively and have the other end of each of the first links and second links pivotally connected thereto whereby rotation of the drums 34 and 35 effects relative movement of the links and thereby selective movement of the jaws 5 and 6 toward and away from each other. In the illustrated embodiment, projections 36 and 37 extend from end faces of the drums 34 and 35 respectively and receive and pivotally support the other ends of the first links 25 and 26 respectively. The other ends of the second links 29 and 30 are pivotally mounted on end faces of the drums 34 and 35 respectively.

The jaws 5 and 6 are adapted to clamp a plurality of signatures or a plurality of loose sheets or other combination of sheets. The signatures or loose sheets each have the back edges 3 which may be plain or roughened. They preferably are processed to provide deep transverse grooves 3 to receive glue therein to glue stitch same together. The plurality of signatures or sheets may be sewed together between the deep grooves 3' to thereby maintain the back or spine edges 3 in registry prior to being clamped between the jaws 5 and 6. When the back or spine edges 3 are exposed, they define a spine surface adapted to receive glue and tape thereon.

The glue container 9 and the applicator member 8 are mounted on the frame for reciprocable movement substantially parallel with the longitudinal center line of the apparatus 1 and with the spine surface defined by the back or spine edges 3 of the sheets 4 to be joined. The applicator member 8 is positioned adjacent the back edges 3 of the sheets to be joined and is operative to apply a coating of a selected thickness of glue to the back edges 3 of all of the sheets 4 to be joined as the glue container 9 and the applicator member 8 therein are moved parallel with the back edges 3. The glue container 9 and the applicator member 8 therein are positioned below the lower edges 38 and 39 of the clamping jaws 5 and 6 respectively and the glue container 9 is movable along suitable guide members positioned below and substantially parallel with the lower edges 38 and 39 of the jaws 5 and 6.

The glue container 9 may be any suitable receptacle adapted to receive and maintain hot-melt glue in a liquid flowable condition. The illustrated glue container 9 has a bottom wall 40 and laterally spaced side walls 41 and 42 extending upwardly from the bottom wall 40 and extending between respective opposite ends of the side walls 41 and 42. The walls of the glue container 9 preferably have suitable heating elements therein adapted to maintain glue therein in a liquid and flowable condition.

The applicator member 8 is mounted on a shaft 45 which is rotatably supported on the side walls 41 and 42 and the shaft 45 is substantially perpendicular to the center line of the frame.

Elongated guide members 46 and 47 are laterally spaced and positioned substantially parallel with the center line of the frame and parallel with the lower edges 38 and 39 of the jaws 5 and 6 respectively. The guide members extend between and have respective opposite ends thereof suitably secured to the end walls 13 and 14 as by welding. The glue container 9 has suitable front and rear guide followers 48 and 49 on each side thereof and positioned adjacent the end walls 43 and 44 respectively. The guide followers 48 and 49 on each side of the glue container 9 are sleeved on the guide members 46 and 47 respectively whereby the glue container 9 moves in a defined path parallel with the center line of the frame and between the end walls 13 and 14.

The applicator member 8 is illustrated as a roller mounted on the shaft 45 and positioned on the center line of the frame. The peripheral surface of the applicator roller 8 is spaced approximately 0.020 inches below the the lower or back edges 3 of the sheets 4 to be joined together. Suitable front and rear doctor blades 50 and 51 respectively are mounted in the glue container 9 to thereby regulate or limit the thickness of glue 7 applied to the back edges 3, as later described. The applicator member 8 reverses on the return pass whereby the rear doctor blade regulates the thickness of glue on the applicator member 8. The thickness of glue on the roller or applicator member 8 is greater than the spacing between the applicator member 8 and the back edges 3 of the sheets 4 thereby forcing glue into the transverse grooves 3' and between the sheets 4. Front and rear scraper rods 52 and 53 respectively are positioned adjacent the applicator member 8 and are adapted to rub the glue 7 onto the back or spine edges 3 of the sheets 4, thereby assuring penetration of the glue 7 between the sheets 4 and on the return pass, the rod 53 will allow a coating of about 0.003 inches thick on the back or spine edges 3. The rods 52 and 53 are preferably hot to provide better scraping of the glue and may be heated by the glue or by suitable heating elements (not shown) at either end thereof.

Glue drive means are operatively connected to the glue container 9 for moving same and the applicator member 8 therein along the center of the frame and substantially parallel with the clamping jaws 5 and 6 and in the illustrated structure, a rotatably mounted shaft 54 has respective opposite ends thereof received and rotatably supported in suitable pillow blocks 55 and 56 mounted on the end walls 13 and 14 respectively of the frame.

Rotation of the shaft 54 effects movement of the glue container 9 along the guide members 46 and 47 and reverse rotation of the shaft 54 returns the glue container 9 to a starting position. Means frictionally engage the shaft 54 and are movable therealong in response to rotation of the shaft 54 and are connected to the glue container 9. In the illustrated embodiment, a linear actuator 57 is mounted on the shaft 54 and is movable therealong in response to rotation of the shaft 54. The linear actuator 57 includes a housing having a plurality of friction rollers adjustably mounted therein and engaging the shaft 54 at an angle to move the housing longitudinally of the shaft 54 in response to rotation thereof.

The rollers are preferably positioned is a spiral pattern and frictionally engage the shaft 54 so that any resisting force will stop the glue container 9, for example, releasing the sheets 4 from the jaws 5 and 6 thereby allowing same to move into the path of the glue container 9.

Rotation of the shaft 54 and movement of the linear actuator 57 along the shaft 54 is effected by a suitable reversible motor 58 mounted on a support 59 suitably secured to the platform support member 15. The reversible motor 58 is operatively connected to the shaft 54 by suitable power transmission members, such as endless belts or chains 60 extending around suitable sheaves or sprockets on the shaft 54 and the motor 58. The linear actuator 57 is suitably secured to the side wall 42 of the glue container 9, as by welding, whereby rotation of the shaft 54 in one direction effects movement of the glue container 9 toward the end wall 14 and reverse rotation of the shaft 54 effects movement of the glue container 9 toward the end wall 13.

Rotation of the applicator member 8 is effected by a gear 61 which is mounted on the shaft 45- adjacent one of the side walls of the glue container 9 and which engages a rack 62 which depends from the rack support member 16. The applicator member or roller 8 is driven by the rack 62 and the gear 61 so that no matter how far or how fast the travel of the glue container 9, the speed of the peripheral surface of the applicator roller 8 is the same as the linear speed of the glue container 9. The rack 62 is of a length such that the gear 61 is always engaged therewith and never runs off the rack 62.

Means are mounted on the frame for dispensing a selected length of the back liner tape 2 in response to movement of the glue container 9 and the applicator member 8 therein parallel with the back edges 3 of the sheets 4. In the illustrated structure, suitable legs 63 are mounted on the platform support member 15 and extend upwardly therefrom to support a housing 64 having rollers, as later described, therein adapted to guid and move the back liner tape 2 onto the platform 10.

In the illustrated embodiment, a roll or reel 65 of back liner tape is positioned adjacent the end wall 14 and tape therefrom feeds through a suitable guide aperture 66 in the end wall 14 and aligned with the center line of the frame. Suitable laterally spaced guides 67 are adjustably mounted on a shaft or rod 68 positioned adjacent the end wall 14 and adjacent the guide aperture 66 to maintain the tape 2 on the cener line of the back liner applying apparatus 1.

The tape 2 passes under a tape tensioning roller 69 which is rotatably mounted on one end of laterally spaced arms 70 which each have the other end thereof pivotally mounted on one of the legs 63 supporting the housing 64. The tape 2 then travels over a lower tape guide 71 and under an upper tape guide 72 which each have laterally spaced guides 73 and 74 respectively adjustably mounted thereon to maintain the tape 2 on the center line of the back liner applying apparatus 1. The upper and lower tape guides 71 and 72 each may be screws with opposite threads to adjust the spacing between the guides 73 and 74 respectively for the width of the back liner tape 2 and to maintain same on the center line of the frame.

A tape drive roller 75 receives the back liner tape 2 from the upper tape guide 72 and is preferably knurled or otherwise roughened to provide a positive grip between the tape drive roller 75 and a hold down roller or rollers 76. The tape drive roller 75 is mounted on a shaft 77 having opposite ends rotatably supported on the housing 64 and driven by movement of the glue container 9, as later described.

The hold down roller 76 is illustrated as a plurality of laterally spaced rollers mounted on a suitable shaft or rod 78 which has respective opposite ends thereof mounted on a pair of spaced arms 79 extending outwardly from a bar 80 which has opposite ends thereof suitably rotatably or pivotally supported on the housing 64. A handle 81 is mounted on one end of the bar 80 for moving the rollers 76 between a tape engaging position and a position spaced from the tape drive roller 75 which permits threading of the tape 2 through the housing 64.

The tape drive roller 75 is driven by rotation of the rotatably mounted shaft 54 and is operatively connected thereto by suitably power transmission means which, in the illustrated structure, includes an endless chain or belt extending around suitable sprockets or pulleys 82 and 83 on the rotatably mounted shaft 54 and a driven shaft 84 respectively. The driven shaft 84 is rotatably supported in suitable spaced bearings 85 mounted on a bracket 86 mounted on and extending outwardly from the adjacent end wall 14. The driven shaft 84, therefore, rotates with the rotatably mounted shaft 54 and at the same speed and in the same direction.

One end of the driven shaft 84 is engaged by a suitable clutch 87, such as a fiber faced clutch, which is also engaged with the shaft 77 of the tape drive roller 75. The clutch 87 is operative to engage the shaft 77 and the driven shaft 84 as the glue container 9 is traveling in the first direction or pass and the clutch 87 is operative to disengage the shaft "77 during the second or return pass of the glue container during the return to the starting position. The shaft 77 rotates at the same speed as the glue container 9 travels along the rotatably mounted shaft 54 so that a precise amount of back liner tape 2 is fed out by the tape drive roller 75.

In the illustrated embodiment, sensing means are mounted on the glue container 9 and operatively connected to the tape dispensing means for starting same in response to movement of the glue container 9 by the other end edge of the sheets 4 of the opposite end edges thereof and for stopping the tape dispensing means in response to movement of the glue container 9 by the one end edge 22 of the opposite end edges of the sheets 4 to be joined. The back liner applying apparatus 1 includes a suitable circuit (not shown) connected to means to effect engagement and disengagement of the clutch 87 from the shaft 77 of the tape drive roller 75.

Means for moving the back liner tape 2 into engagement with and applying same to the back edges 3 includes the platform and it is preferable that the platform 10 is coated with a suitable release material, such as Teflon or the like, to keep hot melt glue from sticking to the platform 10 in the event that the platform 10 is raised without the back liner tape 2 being placed thereon.

in the illustrated embodiment, a pair of longitudinally spaced upwardly open cylindrical guides 88 and 89 are positioned on the longitudinal center line of the frame and extend upwardly from the platform support member 15. The platform 10 is illustrated as a generally planar member having a pair of guide rods 90 and 91 depending therefrom and received in the guides 88 and 89 respectively. The platform 10 is selectively raised and lowered by a suitable extensible member 92 positioned on the center line of the frame and on the longitudinal and transverse center line of the platform 10 and the extensible member 92 extends between the platform support member and the platform 10.

The platform 10 is moved to a first position adjacent the sheet clamping jaws 5 and 6 to support a spine of the sheets prior to clamping by the jaws 5 and 6 and movable to a second position adjacent the housing 64 of the tape dispensing means where platform 10 receives the back liner tape 2 from the tape drive roller 75. The platform 10 is moved toward the first position and the sheet clamping jaws 5 and 6 to move the tape thereon into engagement with the glue 7 on the back edges 3 of the sheets 4 and away from the back edges 3 after applying the tape 2 thereto for return to the second position.

The reversible motor 58 which effects movement of the glue container 9 and the extensible member 92 are connected in a circuit (not shown) which has a limit switch 93 engaged by the glue container 9 when in the start position to complete a circuit to the extensible member 92 to permit the platform 10 to be moved toward the first position and the jaws 5 and 6 and the sheets 4 clamped therebetween.

Another limit switch 94 is positioned to be engaged by the platform 10 when in the lowered or second position adjacent the housing 64 to thereby complete a circuit to the reversible motor 58 to permit operation thereof for the first pass of the glue container 9. The other limit switch 94 also completes a circuit to tape cutting means mounted on or positioned adjacent the housing 64 and adapted to cut the back liner tape 2 after a selected length thereof has been dispensed. The tape cutting means is, therefore, operative after stopping of the tape drive roller by the sensing means mounted on the glue container 9.

in the illustrated structure, a cutting blade 95 is mounted in suitable guides 96 mounted on the housing 64. An extensible member 97, such as an air cylinder, has one end thereof connected to the cutting blade 95 and the other end supported on a suitable bracket 98 mounted on the housing 64. The extensible member 97 and the extensible 92 both start operation thereof substantially simultaneously, however, the operation of the extensible member 92 is separate from the operation of the extensible member 97 which moves the cutting blade 95 through the back liner tape 2 after the selected length has been dispensed. It has been found that wet back liner tape is extremely difficult to cut, therefore, the tape dispensed by the tape drive roller 75 has dry hot melt glue thereon and can be easily cut by the cutting blade 95.

Means are mounted on the back liner applying apparatus 1 for moving opposite side edge portions of the back liner tape 2 into engagement with an edge portion of respective exterior sheets of the plurality of sheets 4 to be joined. In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of heated jaws 99 and 100 are mounted on the top of the frame and, in illustrated structure, one of the jaws, for example jaw 99, is stationary and the other jaw 100 moves toward and away therefrom on suitable guide members 101 and 102 extending outwardly from the jaw 99.

A suitable extensible member 103, such as an air cylinder or the like has one end mounted on a bracket 104 mounted on an exterior side of the end wall 14 and the other end having a rack 105 thereon and engaging a gear 106 mounted on a shaft 107 whereby operation of the extensible member 103 effects rotation of the shaft 107 which is rotatably supported on a pair of spaced arms 108 and 109 extending outwardly from the end wall 14. The shaft 107 has suitable gears 110 and 111 on respective opposite ends thereof and the gears 110 and 111 are in engagement with racks 112 and 113 connected to the other heated jaw 100 for moving same toward and away from the heated jaw 99. Suitable wiper means, such as spaced rods 114 and 115, are p0- sitioned and spaced between the jaws 99 and 100.

In using a back liner applying apparatus constructed as illustrated and described, the platform 10 is raised to the first position immediately below the lower edges 38 and 39 of the clamping jaws and 6 where the back edges 3. of the sheets 4 are supported thereon. The clamping jaws 5 and 6 are moved toward each other by operation of the actuator 31 to clamp the sheets 4 therebetween and compress the back or spine edges 3 and maintain same in the compressed condition. The platform is then lowered to the second position to expose the back or spine edges 3 of the sheets 4. The reversible motor 58 is energized when the platform 10 is in its lower or second position to thereby move the glue container 9 and the applicator member 8 on the first pass to apply the hot melt glue to the back or spine edges 3 and apply a second coat of glue on the second or return pass and scrape the excess glue therefrom, whereby a selected coating of glue remains on the back edges 3. the return stroke or pass of the glue container 9 and the applicator member 8 applys a second coating of glue which forces the glue into grooves 3 in the back edges 3 and scrapes the glue surface so that same is substantially even. A precoated back liner tape 2 is dispensed by the tape drive roller 75 in response to the first pass of the glue container 9. When the glue container 9 completes its return pass or stroke, the cutting blade 95 is raised to cut the tape 2 and the platform 10 is raised to apply the tape to the glue on the back edges 3 of the sheets 4. The set or stack of sheets with the tape 2 thereon is then removed from the jaws 5 and 6 and placed between the heated jaws 99 and 100 in a manner so that the rods 114 and 115 wipe or move opposite edge portions of the tape 2 into engagement with respective exterior sheets of the plurality of sheets 4. The extensible member 103 is then activated to move the heated jaw 100 toward the heated jaw 99 compressing the side edge portions of the back liner tape 2 into engagement with the edge portion of the respective exterior sheets. The jaws 99 and 100 melt the hot melt glue on the back liner tape 2 thereby securing same to the exterior sheet.

It is to be understood that while we have illustrated and described one form of our invention it is not to be limited to this specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A back liner applying apparatus comprising:

a. an elongate frame having a top portion and first and second ends;

b. a platform having an upper face with means on said frame for selectively effecting up and down movement of said platform;

0. clamping jaws above the platform and having opposed vertical faces extending longitudinally of the frame and on opposite sides of a longitudinal center thereof with means mounting said jaws for movement transversely of the frame;

(1. means operatively connected to said clamping jaws for simultaneously moving same toward each other for clamping a plurality of elongate sheets to be joined together with back edges of the sheets resting on and supported in registry by said upper face of the platform, said plurality of clamped sheets being maintained in the clamped position centered relative to said longitudinal center;

e. a glue container mounted on said frame for reciprocable movement longitudinally under said back edges when the platform is in a lowered position, an applicator roller mounted in said glue container and rotatable on a transverse axis, said roller having a peripheral surface of a width greater than the width of said back edges and substantially centered relative to the longitudinal center of the frame, said roller periphery rolling a coating of glue of a selected thickness onto the back edges of said clamped sheets as the glue container is moved thereunder from adjacent said frame first end toward said frame second end and back toward said frame first end;

f. means on said frame adjacent said second end for dispensing back liner tape onto said platform upper face and centered relative to said longitudinal center of the frame, said tape dispensing means being operative in response to movement of the glue container and said tape being under said back edges and extending transversely and longitudinally beyond same;

g. said platform moving means being operative after return of the glue container to adjacent said frame first end to move said platform up and press the tape onto the glue coated back edges.

2. A back liner applying apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means operatively connected to said clamping jaws comprises:

a a. said clamping jaws being a pair of facing jaws centered on said frame and each having opposite ends;

b. a pair of guide members on said frame and extending transversely thereof and each having a respective opposite end of each of said jaws mounted thereon for movement therealong;

c. a first pair of links each having one end thereof operatively connected to a respective opposite end of a respective one of said jaws;

d. a second pair of links each having one end thereof operatively connected to a respective opposite end of the other of said jaws;

e. an actuator member spaced transversely thereof from said pair of jaws, said actuator member being rotatably mounted on the frame with the axis of rotation extending longitudinally of said frame, said actuator member having the other end of each of said links of said first and second pair of links connected thereto at substantially equal radial spacing from said axis of rotation for selectively effecting relative movement of said links and thereby selective movement of said jaws toward and away from each other in response to rotation of said actuator member;

f. reversible power means operatively connected to said actuator member for selectively rotating same to move said jaws.

3. A back liner applying apparatus set forth in claim 1 including cooperating means mounted on said frame and operatively connected to said applicator roller for coordinating the speed of movement of said glue container and the applicator roller whereby the movement of the roller periphery along said back edges is the same as the linear movement of the glue container and in a corresponding direction with reversal of direction of movement of the container also providing reversal of direction of movement of the roller periphery whereby along guide members extending parallel with the back edges to be joined;

b. glue container drive means are operatively connected to said glue container for moving same along said guide members and return and includes the glue is rolled on the back edges of the sheets to be joined.

4. A back liner applying apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein:

a. glue container drive means are operatively con- 5 nected to said glue container for moving same along the center of said frame and substantially parallel with said jaws and includes a rotatably mounted shaft and means on said rotatably sponse to rotation thereof.

a rotatably mounted shaft extending substantially parallel with said guide members and means on said rotatably mounted shaft and connected to said glue container for moving same along said guide f' t and connected l g f members in response to rotation of said rotatably tamer for movmg same parallel with said aws in remounted shaft; and sponse to rotation of said rotatably mounted shaft; drive means for Said tape dispensing means are eratively connected to said rotatably mounted shaft Said means mounted sand rotatably mounted of said glue container drive means and includes a shaft and connected to said glue containermcludes tape drive Shaft and clutch means Selectively a housmg surroundmg sald rotatably mounted. Shaft gageable with said tape drive shaft in response to and connected to said glue container and friction movement of said Sensing means on Said glue com rollers adjustably mounted in said housing and enminer b the one end ed e of the Sheets to be gaging said rotatably mounted shaft at an angle to .Oined y g move said housing longitudinally of said shaft in re- J 7. A back liner applying apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein:

a. said cooperating means is an elongate gear rack fixed on the frame and extending longitudinally 5. A back liner applying apparatus as set forth in claim 3 including:

a. sensing means mounted on said glue container and b. means adjacent said tape dispensing means for cutting the tape after a selected length thereof has been dispensed, said tape cutting means being positioned between said tape dispensing means and said platform and operative after stopping of said tape dispensing means.

thereof substantially coextensive with said jaws for a length at least as long as said jaws, and a gear axially of said applicator roller and connected thereto;

b. doctor blades supported by the glue container and positioned adjacent the applicator roller periphery in spaced relation to the upper portion thereof with a spacing from the roller periphery to regulate the thickness of glue applied to the back edge in both directions of movement of the glue container.

8. A back liner applying apparatus as set forth in claim 7 and including:

a. heated scraper blades carried by the glue container and extending transversely of said sheet back edges in selected spacing therefrom for scraping glue 6. A back liner applying apparatus as set forth in from said back edges and provide a selective thickclaim 5 wherein: ness of glue remaining thereon.

a. said glue container is mounted on and movable 

1. A back liner applying apparatus comprising: a. an elongate frame having a top portion and first and second ends; b. a platform having an upper face with means on said frame for selectively effecting up and down movement of said platform; c. clamping jaws above the platform and having opposed vertical faces extending longitudinally of the frame and on opposite sides of a longitudinal center thereof with means mounting said jaws for movement transversely of the frame; d. means operatively connected to said clamping jaws for simultaneously moving same toward each other for clamping a plurality of elongate sheets to be joined together with back edges of the sheets resting on and supported in registry by said upper face of the platform, said plurality of clamped sheets being maintained in the clamped position centered relative to said longitudinal center; e. a glue container mounted on said frame for reciprocable movement longitudinally under said back edges when the platform is in a lowered position, an applicator roller mounted in said glue container and rotatable on a transverse axis, said roller having a peripheral surface of a width greater than the width of said back edges and substantially centered relative to the longitudinal center of the frame, said roller periphery rolling a coating of glue of a selected thickness onto the back edges of said clamped sheets as the glue container is moved thereunder from adjacent said frame first end toward said frame second end and back toward said frame first end; f. means on said frame adjacent said second end for dispensing back liner tape onto said platform upper face and centered relative to said longitudinal center of the frame, said tape dispensing means being operative in response to movement of the glue container and said tape being under said back edges and extending transversely and longitudinally beyond same; g. said platform moving means being operative after return of the glue container to adjacent said frame first end to move said platform up and press the tape onto the glue coated back edges.
 2. A back liner applying apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means operatively connected to said clamping jaws comprises: a. said clamping jaws being a pair of facing jaws centered on said frame and each having opposite ends; b. a pair of guide members on said frame and extending transversely thereof and each having a respective opposite end of each of said jaws mounted thereon for movement therealong; c. a first pair of links each having one end thereof operatively connected to a respective opposite end of a respective one of said jaws; d. a second pair of links each having one end thereof operatively connected to a respective opposite end of the other of said jaws; e. an actuator member spaced transversely thereof from said pair of jaws, said actuator member being rotatably mounted on the frame with the axis of rotation extending longitudinally of said frame, said actuator member having the other end of each of said links of said first and second pair of links connected thereto at substantially equal radial spacing from said axis of rotation for selectively effecting relative movement of said links and thereby selective movement of said jaws toward and away from each other in response to rotation of said actuator member; f. reversible power means operatively connected to said actuator member for selectively rotating same to move said jaws.
 3. A back liner applying apparatus set forth in claim 1 including cooperating means mounted on said frame and operatively connected to said applicator roller for coordinating the speed of movement of said glue container and the applicator roller whereby the movement of the roller periphery along said back edges is the same as the linear movement of the glue container and in a corresponding direction with reversal of direction of movement of the container also providing reversal of direction of movement of the roller periphery whereby the glue is rolled on the back edges of the sheets to be joined.
 4. A back liner applying apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein: a. glue container drive means are operatively connected to said glue container for moving same along the center of said frame and substantially parallel with said jaws and includes a rotatably mounted shaft and means on said rotatably mounTed shaft and connected to said glue container for moving same parallel with said jaws in response to rotation of said rotatably mounted shaft; and b. said means mounted on said rotatably mounted shaft and connected to said glue container includes a housing surrounding said rotatably mounted shaft and connected to said glue container and friction rollers adjustably mounted in said housing and engaging said rotatably mounted shaft at an angle to move said housing longitudinally of said shaft in response to rotation thereof.
 5. A back liner applying apparatus as set forth in claim 3 including: a. sensing means mounted on said glue container and operatively connected to said tape dispensing means for starting same in response to movement of said glue container by one end edge of opposite end edges of the sheets to be joined and for stopping said tape dispensing means in response to movement of said glue container by the other end edge of the opposite end edges of the sheets to be joined; and b. means adjacent said tape dispensing means for cutting the tape after a selected length thereof has been dispensed, said tape cutting means being positioned between said tape dispensing means and said platform and operative after stopping of said tape dispensing means.
 6. A back liner applying apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein: a. said glue container is mounted on and movable along guide members extending parallel with the back edges to be joined; b. glue container drive means are operatively connected to said glue container for moving same along said guide members and return and includes a rotatably mounted shaft extending substantially parallel with said guide members and means on said rotatably mounted shaft and connected to said glue container for moving same along said guide members in response to rotation of said rotatably mounted shaft; and c. drive means for said tape dispensing means are operatively connected to said rotatably mounted shaft of said glue container drive means and includes a tape drive shaft and clutch means selectively engageable with said tape drive shaft in response to movement of said sensing means on said glue container by the one end edge of the sheets to be joined.
 7. A back liner applying apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein: a. said cooperating means is an elongate gear rack fixed on the frame and extending longitudinally thereof substantially coextensive with said jaws for a length at least as long as said jaws, and a gear axially of said applicator roller and connected thereto; b. doctor blades supported by the glue container and positioned adjacent the applicator roller periphery in spaced relation to the upper portion thereof with a spacing from the roller periphery to regulate the thickness of glue applied to the back edge in both directions of movement of the glue container.
 8. A back liner applying apparatus as set forth in claim 7 and including: a. heated scraper blades carried by the glue container and extending transversely of said sheet back edges in selected spacing therefrom for scraping glue from said back edges and provide a selective thickness of glue remaining thereon. 